April 2015
I had done 7 days straight last week and then on my day off went on the Endo March in London on Sunday back to work and my next day off is Easter Friday. I am looking forward to that. On Sunday I was so tired and sore as well as being very bloated. After work I had a long hot soak in our new bath to try to relax my muscles. This did help a little but even this morning my lower right side back round my abdomen to my left side is very sore. Not as bad as it could be only a level 6 ½ but it is constant and not letting off. The pain travels to my pelvis at a level 7.
Just over 2 weeks to go before our implications session at Nuffield Hospital. I am so excited about this. I am counting down the days, only 15 more to go. Then the following day is the scan and 17 days until I get to start the medication to increase the egg production. I am so excited about it. I know I keep going on about this but I just want to get on with it now.
The implications session goes on for approximately 2-2 ½ hours. Apparently we will discuss the treatment that we will be undergoing and the risks. I am unsure what else we will be discussing but surely talking about the treatment is not going to take that long. But then again it may take that long. I have never had to do this before and hopefully we will not have to do this again. Hopefully the IVF will work first time. I am feeling so positive about it. My healthy eating is going well I am surprised how easy it was to stop picking between meals and just eating 3 meals a day as well as cutting down the cake intake.
Just received a letter from Nuffield hospital. Well actually 2 letters one was about the first appointment we had the other is our times and dates:-
Letter number one starts by explaining that I have had 2 months of Zoladex and was due a third one about a week ago and there were discussions as to whether I should stop that to re check an AMH level or just to carry on. On balance having seen that I have had another ultrasound scan which still shows reasonable sized cysts on both ovaries, the consultant thinks that it is probably better that I stay down regulated at present, so they have asked that I was to be given some Prostrap that day, as the consultant was told that I have used this in the past prior to surgery. We then go forward just to stimulate my ovaries with Menopur and see the response.
The letter then goes on to explain that the Antral Follicle count we have done is low, but the AMH at Frimley of course was normal. The consultant explained that I will be at an increased risk of Peritonitis with an inflammatory infective response and possibly of bowel trauma, because of the extensive endometriosis and also because of the history of previous bowel trauma.
They will cover the egg collection procedure with high dosage of Cefuroxime and Metronidazole. With regards to the number of embryos to transfer, he would have thought it would be very wise in these circumstances to restrict to replacing one and definitely one if we go to the blastocyst stage of culture.
We will come back implications counselling and if we go more than 4 weeks from now to egg retrieval, we will just supplement a few days of subcutaneous Buserelin to suppress pituitary function.
Letter Two – Treatment Planner:-
March 20th -> Wednesday 15th April Prostrap
Tuesday 14th April Scan 14:45
Wednesday 15th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Thursday 16th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Friday 17th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Saturday 18th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Sunday 19th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Monday 20th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Tuesday 21st April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Wednesday 22nd April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 7:45am
Thursday 23rd April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Friday 24th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 9:30am
Saturday 25th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Sunday 26th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Monday 27th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 8:45am
Wednesday 29th April Egg Collection????
Monday 4th May Embryo Transfer????
Friday 15th May Pregnancy Test
This is it finally starting. It is Thursday 2nd April today this weekend is Easter Bank Holiday and only 12 days to go until the implications appointment then we get to really start.
Its official my body actually hates me. This morning I woke up feeling uncomfortable and had the urge to go to the loo. Out of nowhere my period started. I am so bloated and in pain. My right side is at a level 8 and my pelvis feels like a pain level 9.5 as for my energy levels they have gone through the floor, into the basement and through to the foundations.
Typical just when things start to look up Endometriosis decides to try to take over the happiness. Well I have something to say to you Endometriosis, Yes I am feeling crappy but it is only for a short amount of time and once this is over it is only a few days before we start IVF. In fact only 12 days to go until we start the Menopur. So TAKE THAT ENDOMETRIOSIS.
I am feeling a bit better this morning the pain is under control only a level 5.5 on my right side and pelvis is a level 7.5. My energy however is not so good. What is keeping me positive through this is knowing 9 days until our implications appointment, 10 days until the scan and 11 days until the stimulation side of the IVF starts. HAHAHA take that Endometriosis.
85cm that is how big my stomach is right now. I had planned on going out as it is Easter weekend but really not feeling too good at the moment and all I can fit into at the moment is tracksuit bottoms or PJs neither are any good for wearing down the pub. The pain killers have kicked in now which is good but I am just so warn out now. Endometriosis you may have won this battle but I promise you this, you shall NOT win the war.
I have gone just over 2 months without going sick at work. It is bad when that becomes a mini celebration. I cannot remember the last time I done tis. Well actually I probably can it was at a guess when I was on Prostrap just before my operation in September 2014. It has become a little joke at work. If you do not laugh at this situation then you would cry. I am lucky this time that it is Easter so we have a 4 day weekend and then because I am working all next weekend I also have Tuesday and Wednesday off. I cannot go sick next week as my supervisor is on holiday from Friday after and after the busy weekend of 53 people for breakfast, lunch and dinner another member off staff is also on holiday so being off sick is not an option so you are picked the wrong person to fight endometriosis. We have planned to go to Wisely Gardens tomorrow. I just hope that I am feeling well enough to go.
Fernando must sense that I am not feeling myself at the moment as he has barely left my side sine yesterday morning and when he has, he has not gone far and popped back say every 5 or so minuets looked at me and meowed or come right up to me to sniff me. As if to ask me if everything is ok. He really is a Sweet Pea.
On Friday night we had a glass of champagne or two. To celebrate us starting the IVF this month as well as our 9 years of being together. Our 9 year anniversary (not wedding just being together) is actually on 16th April but as this is when we start the stimulation drugs we thought we would celebrate now. It is unbelievable that my husband and I have been together for 9 years. Time has flown by. my husband has been my rock through all of these years. I do not know how I would have got to where I am now without his support. I am planning on cooking him a really good meal on 16th April.
This morning we had our implications appointment. The nurse started off with a short biology lesson about what normally happens during a natural conception and how it differs from assisted conception. We had to sign a load of forms saying that we consent to my eggs and my husband’s sperm for the fertility treatment (either IVF or ICSI) as well as if possible the freezing process etc. once all the forms were signed the nurse showed me how to inject the Buserelin and how to prepare it. I was able to get over the fear of injecting into my stomach. The Buserelin is to start tomorrow. I was then shown how to mix up the Menopur depending on what dose I need on what day. I will be given a drug chart and a sheet to remind me on what to do. I am having my scan tomorrow to check that the endometrial lining is thin enough to start. If it is we get to start the Menopur on Thursday starting with a dose of 225 followed by a dose of 300 the following day. These doses will alternate each day until the day of egg collection. Actually I think it is 2 days before because I have to take an injection 36 hours before egg collection to mature the eggs.
The nurse did say that because we are forcing more follicles than that of a natural cycle my ovaries could start to feel swollen and I could start to feel bloated. I asked her that as we are flooding my body with hormones how it would affect my Endometriosis. She said that she could not say that it would not cause pain bit she also said that she could not say that it would. I asked if it did what painkillers should I take/avoid. She said to avoid Nurophen and Ibuprofen. If the pain starts I am to take Paracetamol. She did ask if I could take Codeine I said that I only take it as a last resort because of my bowel problems. She did suggest Solphadeine which is Paracetamol with a little bit of Codeine. Apparently it is really good for period pains. I will give it a go if it is required.
During the egg collection they give you antibiotics and I will be given extra antibiotics because of my risk of Peritonitis. After egg collection I am given a Progesterone Pessary that I am to take first thing in the morning and last thing at night until the day of the pregnancy test on 15th May. If the test is negative then I stop, if it is positive (fingers crossed) I have to continue with it until I am 3 months pregnant. It is a long time but it will be worth it.
After we get the positive we will have a scan at 6 weeks pregnant (2 weeks after the pregnancy test – which is done at 4 weeks pregnant). If all is well we are discharged and sent back to our GP. If there is something not quite right then they will refer us to the early pregnancy unit at Frimley Park Hospital.
We just have to take one hurdle at a time, with the first hurdle being tomorrow with the scan to measure the endometrial lining.
Wednesday 15th April 2015 – Scan at Nuffield Hospital, Woking.
The first hurdle is over and we cleared it by miles. The scan went really well although it was a tad sore. Thankfully not as sore as previous scans. My Endometrial lining was thin enough to proceed with starting the medication. The nurse also re-measured my cysts and there were the same size as my last scan on Tuesday 17th March 2015. This is also good and means that we can proceed to the next stage.
We went over the mixing off and administration off the Menopur and Buserelin. I had another practice run and now I feel confident enough to do this now. We have collected the medication from the pharmacy. It looks like we are all ready to go. My next scan is next Wednesday (22nd April 2015). I am so excited now. Just cannot wait for my first injection tomorrow. How weird does that sound “I cannot wait to inject myself with hormone medication” sounds weird but I mean I cannot wait to get this on the way. At the same time I admit that I am also a tad apprehensive.
Thursday 16th April 2015 – Injection Day One and our 9 year Anniversary.
Last night I went to bed at 9:00pm and was out for the count, I slept through to 6:00am and could easily have slept for longer.
Ever since I got out of bed my stomach/abdomen has been very sore. I was hoping that as the day went by it would start to ease but it has not. In fact my stomach has started to bloat out again. My ‘Endo Belly’ has hit 83cm blurg!!!!. They did warn us that one of the side effects of the Menopur is bloating. I said that is nothing new, I just hope that the bloating will be instead of the ‘Endo Belly’ and not on top of it.
Tonight I am to have the first of my injections. I am excited about starting the injections and have been looking forward to the time when I get to do it all day. But at the same time I am nervous. I will be taking the injections in less than 50 minutes.
Done it the first lot of injections very nerve wracking. I am so glad that my husband was there to talk me through it. I am fine mixing and preparing the injections as long as my husband talks me though it but it is the injecting into me that I find hard. Especially the second one straight after the first one.
Nine years ago today my husband and I became an item, he has supported me through so much. He is my soul mate. It has to be a positive sign that we are starting the fertility treatment injections on the 9th year of us being together.
Wednesday 22nd April 2015 – Injection day seven and scan.
I am so sore today. This morning I had another internal scan. This time to see how my ovaries are reacting to the Menopur. I have 5 follicles 2 in the left ovary and 3 in the right. Measuring:-
Left Right
10 13
10 12
10
The nurse said that is good. They did however increase my next 2 doses to 300 instead of alternating between the 2 doses. We will see what the scan shows on Friday I will definitely be taking Paracetamol before that scan.
Friday 24th April 2015 – Injection day nine, tiredness hits
Wow I know they warned me about feeling tired after about a week but I was not expecting this. Yesterday I woke up and it hit me like a sledge hammer. I have no idea how I even managed to get through the 8 hour shift at work. I just wanted to find a corner and snuggle up and not wake up for the next year. To be honest I am not feeling much better today wither. Tomorrow I have a 12 hour shift and I am dreading it. Just need to take it easy today. Which is not hard. I am having a duvet day just sleeping and reading today. I had another scan this morning. The increased Menopur seems to have done its job. My 5 follicles have turned into 9 good sized varying between 8 and 15mm) and 1 that I think they said was 18mm. they care concentrating on the group of 9. This weekend I am to be on 300 Menopur every day and another scan on Monday. It looks like we are on track for egg collection on Wednesday. I am so excited I cannot stop smiling. The nurse also said that my endometrial lining is doing really well. They aim for approximately 8mm and mine is already at 10.5 which is really good. They will be doing a blood test to check my oestrogen levels on Monday. This just confirms what they see on the scans.
I cannot believe that for once my body is actually doing what it should be. Well done body and thank you for being so good for once. I am feeling so positive about how this is going to turn out, just hope that I will not be disappointed. This is more than likely our last chance of having our own biological child. Please all go to plan I beg you.
Monday 27th April 2015 – We are cooked.
Had my final scan this morning and all I can say is we are cooked. I have enough follicles at the correct size and am ready for egg collection on Wednesday. Yay, yippee and wahoo all in one. the nurse took some blood to check my oestrogen levels and I am now waiting for a phone call from the nurse to tell me what time to take my Buserelin tonight as it has to be done 2 hours before the Pregnyl injection which has to be taken 36 hours before egg collection. I am not to take anymore Menopur now. The Pregnyl injection is to mature the eggs.
Just as I am writing I just received a phone call I am to take the Buserelin at 5:30pm tonight and the Pregnyl at 7:30pm tonight. Ahhhh this is all so real and exciting. Even now I cannot believe that it is actually happening. These are the last injections I do for myself. A day off injections tomorrow and nothing to eat or drink after midnight then report to the main hospital reception at 7:00am Wednesday morning. The nurse also said that she will look at getting me a sedative for the embryo transfer because of how painful I find smear tests etc. I am not going to argue with that one.
Final injections done. I have just injected myself with the Pregnyl, this is it no turning back now. Not that I would want to turn back. I am so excited about Wednesday. I just want it to arrive now. In 36 hours’ time the consultant will be collecting my eggs.
Wednesday 29th April 2015 – Fours better than none.
Well today was the day. The day they collect my eggs and make a decision whether to do IVF or ICSI. We got to the hospital at 7:00am as requested. We were shown to our room and admitted. We were told that we were first on the list and that they were hoping to get approximately 9 eggs. The procedure should only take 10 minutes and within the hour I should be back on the ward. Just before I was walked down to surgery my husband was taken to give his semen sample.
I remember talking to the anaesthetic team before going to sleep. I felt rather uncomfortable when I came round and was given some Pethidine which just like last time I was given this drug I could not stop laughing. This laughter went on for about 30 minutes. One of the nurses in recovery said it was as though I had been given gas and air. I cannot remember what I was talking about but I do remember it was a load of rubbish.
All we had to do then was wait for the embryologist she came in and said that they managed to get only 4 eggs. The rest were cysts which they drained. This was a kick in the stomach. I thought that I had been brewing up plenty of eggs and all I was doing was brewing was what my body does best cysts. Yes I know not every follicle has an egg in it but I was expecting more than 4. Saying all this all that you need is one egg to fertilise and take and we have 4 to start with. Four is better than none and I know that some women would get to this stage and find none. Which would be awful. I pray to God that this works.
My husband’s sample was OK but not brilliant and because we only have 4 eggs they want to try ICSI instead of IVF. They will phone later to let us know how many eggs they were able to use as they can only inject mature eggs with ICSI instead of a chance of using a slightly immature egg with IVF in hope that it matures overnight.
They have just phones us and great news they were able to use all 4 eggs. This is great yet another hurdle that we have jumped over. I will get a phone call tomorrow morning between 8 and 11 am to tell his how many eggs have fertilized please let this work.
Thursday 30th April 2015 – Then there were two.
This morning I woke up still uncomfortable another day of rest for me I thinks. Just after 8:00am I received another phone call from the embryologist. She said that only 2 eggs fertilised. The embryologist said that they will see how the eggs go today and if 1 egg survives by tomorrow they will implant tomorrow. If there is still 2 they will leave it another day. If again on Saturday there is one surviving egg they will transfer that day if again there is 2 it will wait until Monday.
I pray that the 2 eggs are strong and survive. Please God look after these 2 eggs make them strong. All we have to do now to wait for that all important phone call tomorrow morning. I keep praying and thinking these 2 eggs survive and get stronger every second of today.
Just over 2 weeks to go before our implications session at Nuffield Hospital. I am so excited about this. I am counting down the days, only 15 more to go. Then the following day is the scan and 17 days until I get to start the medication to increase the egg production. I am so excited about it. I know I keep going on about this but I just want to get on with it now.
The implications session goes on for approximately 2-2 ½ hours. Apparently we will discuss the treatment that we will be undergoing and the risks. I am unsure what else we will be discussing but surely talking about the treatment is not going to take that long. But then again it may take that long. I have never had to do this before and hopefully we will not have to do this again. Hopefully the IVF will work first time. I am feeling so positive about it. My healthy eating is going well I am surprised how easy it was to stop picking between meals and just eating 3 meals a day as well as cutting down the cake intake.
Just received a letter from Nuffield hospital. Well actually 2 letters one was about the first appointment we had the other is our times and dates:-
Letter number one starts by explaining that I have had 2 months of Zoladex and was due a third one about a week ago and there were discussions as to whether I should stop that to re check an AMH level or just to carry on. On balance having seen that I have had another ultrasound scan which still shows reasonable sized cysts on both ovaries, the consultant thinks that it is probably better that I stay down regulated at present, so they have asked that I was to be given some Prostrap that day, as the consultant was told that I have used this in the past prior to surgery. We then go forward just to stimulate my ovaries with Menopur and see the response.
The letter then goes on to explain that the Antral Follicle count we have done is low, but the AMH at Frimley of course was normal. The consultant explained that I will be at an increased risk of Peritonitis with an inflammatory infective response and possibly of bowel trauma, because of the extensive endometriosis and also because of the history of previous bowel trauma.
They will cover the egg collection procedure with high dosage of Cefuroxime and Metronidazole. With regards to the number of embryos to transfer, he would have thought it would be very wise in these circumstances to restrict to replacing one and definitely one if we go to the blastocyst stage of culture.
We will come back implications counselling and if we go more than 4 weeks from now to egg retrieval, we will just supplement a few days of subcutaneous Buserelin to suppress pituitary function.
Letter Two – Treatment Planner:-
March 20th -> Wednesday 15th April Prostrap
Tuesday 14th April Scan 14:45
Wednesday 15th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Thursday 16th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Friday 17th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Saturday 18th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Sunday 19th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Monday 20th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Tuesday 21st April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Wednesday 22nd April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 7:45am
Thursday 23rd April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Friday 24th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 9:30am
Saturday 25th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Sunday 26th April Menopur 225 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Monday 27th April Menopur 300 + Buserelin 0.5ml
Scan 8:45am
Wednesday 29th April Egg Collection????
Monday 4th May Embryo Transfer????
Friday 15th May Pregnancy Test
This is it finally starting. It is Thursday 2nd April today this weekend is Easter Bank Holiday and only 12 days to go until the implications appointment then we get to really start.
Its official my body actually hates me. This morning I woke up feeling uncomfortable and had the urge to go to the loo. Out of nowhere my period started. I am so bloated and in pain. My right side is at a level 8 and my pelvis feels like a pain level 9.5 as for my energy levels they have gone through the floor, into the basement and through to the foundations.
Typical just when things start to look up Endometriosis decides to try to take over the happiness. Well I have something to say to you Endometriosis, Yes I am feeling crappy but it is only for a short amount of time and once this is over it is only a few days before we start IVF. In fact only 12 days to go until we start the Menopur. So TAKE THAT ENDOMETRIOSIS.
I am feeling a bit better this morning the pain is under control only a level 5.5 on my right side and pelvis is a level 7.5. My energy however is not so good. What is keeping me positive through this is knowing 9 days until our implications appointment, 10 days until the scan and 11 days until the stimulation side of the IVF starts. HAHAHA take that Endometriosis.
85cm that is how big my stomach is right now. I had planned on going out as it is Easter weekend but really not feeling too good at the moment and all I can fit into at the moment is tracksuit bottoms or PJs neither are any good for wearing down the pub. The pain killers have kicked in now which is good but I am just so warn out now. Endometriosis you may have won this battle but I promise you this, you shall NOT win the war.
I have gone just over 2 months without going sick at work. It is bad when that becomes a mini celebration. I cannot remember the last time I done tis. Well actually I probably can it was at a guess when I was on Prostrap just before my operation in September 2014. It has become a little joke at work. If you do not laugh at this situation then you would cry. I am lucky this time that it is Easter so we have a 4 day weekend and then because I am working all next weekend I also have Tuesday and Wednesday off. I cannot go sick next week as my supervisor is on holiday from Friday after and after the busy weekend of 53 people for breakfast, lunch and dinner another member off staff is also on holiday so being off sick is not an option so you are picked the wrong person to fight endometriosis. We have planned to go to Wisely Gardens tomorrow. I just hope that I am feeling well enough to go.
Fernando must sense that I am not feeling myself at the moment as he has barely left my side sine yesterday morning and when he has, he has not gone far and popped back say every 5 or so minuets looked at me and meowed or come right up to me to sniff me. As if to ask me if everything is ok. He really is a Sweet Pea.
On Friday night we had a glass of champagne or two. To celebrate us starting the IVF this month as well as our 9 years of being together. Our 9 year anniversary (not wedding just being together) is actually on 16th April but as this is when we start the stimulation drugs we thought we would celebrate now. It is unbelievable that my husband and I have been together for 9 years. Time has flown by. my husband has been my rock through all of these years. I do not know how I would have got to where I am now without his support. I am planning on cooking him a really good meal on 16th April.
This morning we had our implications appointment. The nurse started off with a short biology lesson about what normally happens during a natural conception and how it differs from assisted conception. We had to sign a load of forms saying that we consent to my eggs and my husband’s sperm for the fertility treatment (either IVF or ICSI) as well as if possible the freezing process etc. once all the forms were signed the nurse showed me how to inject the Buserelin and how to prepare it. I was able to get over the fear of injecting into my stomach. The Buserelin is to start tomorrow. I was then shown how to mix up the Menopur depending on what dose I need on what day. I will be given a drug chart and a sheet to remind me on what to do. I am having my scan tomorrow to check that the endometrial lining is thin enough to start. If it is we get to start the Menopur on Thursday starting with a dose of 225 followed by a dose of 300 the following day. These doses will alternate each day until the day of egg collection. Actually I think it is 2 days before because I have to take an injection 36 hours before egg collection to mature the eggs.
The nurse did say that because we are forcing more follicles than that of a natural cycle my ovaries could start to feel swollen and I could start to feel bloated. I asked her that as we are flooding my body with hormones how it would affect my Endometriosis. She said that she could not say that it would not cause pain bit she also said that she could not say that it would. I asked if it did what painkillers should I take/avoid. She said to avoid Nurophen and Ibuprofen. If the pain starts I am to take Paracetamol. She did ask if I could take Codeine I said that I only take it as a last resort because of my bowel problems. She did suggest Solphadeine which is Paracetamol with a little bit of Codeine. Apparently it is really good for period pains. I will give it a go if it is required.
During the egg collection they give you antibiotics and I will be given extra antibiotics because of my risk of Peritonitis. After egg collection I am given a Progesterone Pessary that I am to take first thing in the morning and last thing at night until the day of the pregnancy test on 15th May. If the test is negative then I stop, if it is positive (fingers crossed) I have to continue with it until I am 3 months pregnant. It is a long time but it will be worth it.
After we get the positive we will have a scan at 6 weeks pregnant (2 weeks after the pregnancy test – which is done at 4 weeks pregnant). If all is well we are discharged and sent back to our GP. If there is something not quite right then they will refer us to the early pregnancy unit at Frimley Park Hospital.
We just have to take one hurdle at a time, with the first hurdle being tomorrow with the scan to measure the endometrial lining.
Wednesday 15th April 2015 – Scan at Nuffield Hospital, Woking.
The first hurdle is over and we cleared it by miles. The scan went really well although it was a tad sore. Thankfully not as sore as previous scans. My Endometrial lining was thin enough to proceed with starting the medication. The nurse also re-measured my cysts and there were the same size as my last scan on Tuesday 17th March 2015. This is also good and means that we can proceed to the next stage.
We went over the mixing off and administration off the Menopur and Buserelin. I had another practice run and now I feel confident enough to do this now. We have collected the medication from the pharmacy. It looks like we are all ready to go. My next scan is next Wednesday (22nd April 2015). I am so excited now. Just cannot wait for my first injection tomorrow. How weird does that sound “I cannot wait to inject myself with hormone medication” sounds weird but I mean I cannot wait to get this on the way. At the same time I admit that I am also a tad apprehensive.
Thursday 16th April 2015 – Injection Day One and our 9 year Anniversary.
Last night I went to bed at 9:00pm and was out for the count, I slept through to 6:00am and could easily have slept for longer.
Ever since I got out of bed my stomach/abdomen has been very sore. I was hoping that as the day went by it would start to ease but it has not. In fact my stomach has started to bloat out again. My ‘Endo Belly’ has hit 83cm blurg!!!!. They did warn us that one of the side effects of the Menopur is bloating. I said that is nothing new, I just hope that the bloating will be instead of the ‘Endo Belly’ and not on top of it.
Tonight I am to have the first of my injections. I am excited about starting the injections and have been looking forward to the time when I get to do it all day. But at the same time I am nervous. I will be taking the injections in less than 50 minutes.
Done it the first lot of injections very nerve wracking. I am so glad that my husband was there to talk me through it. I am fine mixing and preparing the injections as long as my husband talks me though it but it is the injecting into me that I find hard. Especially the second one straight after the first one.
Nine years ago today my husband and I became an item, he has supported me through so much. He is my soul mate. It has to be a positive sign that we are starting the fertility treatment injections on the 9th year of us being together.
Wednesday 22nd April 2015 – Injection day seven and scan.
I am so sore today. This morning I had another internal scan. This time to see how my ovaries are reacting to the Menopur. I have 5 follicles 2 in the left ovary and 3 in the right. Measuring:-
Left Right
10 13
10 12
10
The nurse said that is good. They did however increase my next 2 doses to 300 instead of alternating between the 2 doses. We will see what the scan shows on Friday I will definitely be taking Paracetamol before that scan.
Friday 24th April 2015 – Injection day nine, tiredness hits
Wow I know they warned me about feeling tired after about a week but I was not expecting this. Yesterday I woke up and it hit me like a sledge hammer. I have no idea how I even managed to get through the 8 hour shift at work. I just wanted to find a corner and snuggle up and not wake up for the next year. To be honest I am not feeling much better today wither. Tomorrow I have a 12 hour shift and I am dreading it. Just need to take it easy today. Which is not hard. I am having a duvet day just sleeping and reading today. I had another scan this morning. The increased Menopur seems to have done its job. My 5 follicles have turned into 9 good sized varying between 8 and 15mm) and 1 that I think they said was 18mm. they care concentrating on the group of 9. This weekend I am to be on 300 Menopur every day and another scan on Monday. It looks like we are on track for egg collection on Wednesday. I am so excited I cannot stop smiling. The nurse also said that my endometrial lining is doing really well. They aim for approximately 8mm and mine is already at 10.5 which is really good. They will be doing a blood test to check my oestrogen levels on Monday. This just confirms what they see on the scans.
I cannot believe that for once my body is actually doing what it should be. Well done body and thank you for being so good for once. I am feeling so positive about how this is going to turn out, just hope that I will not be disappointed. This is more than likely our last chance of having our own biological child. Please all go to plan I beg you.
Monday 27th April 2015 – We are cooked.
Had my final scan this morning and all I can say is we are cooked. I have enough follicles at the correct size and am ready for egg collection on Wednesday. Yay, yippee and wahoo all in one. the nurse took some blood to check my oestrogen levels and I am now waiting for a phone call from the nurse to tell me what time to take my Buserelin tonight as it has to be done 2 hours before the Pregnyl injection which has to be taken 36 hours before egg collection. I am not to take anymore Menopur now. The Pregnyl injection is to mature the eggs.
Just as I am writing I just received a phone call I am to take the Buserelin at 5:30pm tonight and the Pregnyl at 7:30pm tonight. Ahhhh this is all so real and exciting. Even now I cannot believe that it is actually happening. These are the last injections I do for myself. A day off injections tomorrow and nothing to eat or drink after midnight then report to the main hospital reception at 7:00am Wednesday morning. The nurse also said that she will look at getting me a sedative for the embryo transfer because of how painful I find smear tests etc. I am not going to argue with that one.
Final injections done. I have just injected myself with the Pregnyl, this is it no turning back now. Not that I would want to turn back. I am so excited about Wednesday. I just want it to arrive now. In 36 hours’ time the consultant will be collecting my eggs.
Wednesday 29th April 2015 – Fours better than none.
Well today was the day. The day they collect my eggs and make a decision whether to do IVF or ICSI. We got to the hospital at 7:00am as requested. We were shown to our room and admitted. We were told that we were first on the list and that they were hoping to get approximately 9 eggs. The procedure should only take 10 minutes and within the hour I should be back on the ward. Just before I was walked down to surgery my husband was taken to give his semen sample.
I remember talking to the anaesthetic team before going to sleep. I felt rather uncomfortable when I came round and was given some Pethidine which just like last time I was given this drug I could not stop laughing. This laughter went on for about 30 minutes. One of the nurses in recovery said it was as though I had been given gas and air. I cannot remember what I was talking about but I do remember it was a load of rubbish.
All we had to do then was wait for the embryologist she came in and said that they managed to get only 4 eggs. The rest were cysts which they drained. This was a kick in the stomach. I thought that I had been brewing up plenty of eggs and all I was doing was brewing was what my body does best cysts. Yes I know not every follicle has an egg in it but I was expecting more than 4. Saying all this all that you need is one egg to fertilise and take and we have 4 to start with. Four is better than none and I know that some women would get to this stage and find none. Which would be awful. I pray to God that this works.
My husband’s sample was OK but not brilliant and because we only have 4 eggs they want to try ICSI instead of IVF. They will phone later to let us know how many eggs they were able to use as they can only inject mature eggs with ICSI instead of a chance of using a slightly immature egg with IVF in hope that it matures overnight.
They have just phones us and great news they were able to use all 4 eggs. This is great yet another hurdle that we have jumped over. I will get a phone call tomorrow morning between 8 and 11 am to tell his how many eggs have fertilized please let this work.
Thursday 30th April 2015 – Then there were two.
This morning I woke up still uncomfortable another day of rest for me I thinks. Just after 8:00am I received another phone call from the embryologist. She said that only 2 eggs fertilised. The embryologist said that they will see how the eggs go today and if 1 egg survives by tomorrow they will implant tomorrow. If there is still 2 they will leave it another day. If again on Saturday there is one surviving egg they will transfer that day if again there is 2 it will wait until Monday.
I pray that the 2 eggs are strong and survive. Please God look after these 2 eggs make them strong. All we have to do now to wait for that all important phone call tomorrow morning. I keep praying and thinking these 2 eggs survive and get stronger every second of today.